Excavating machinery



Jan. 24, 1939. F. w. -ALL'AN 2,144,698

- EXCAVATING MACHINERY Filed April 25, 1938 2 sheets-sheet 1 uttornegs Jan 24, 1939. F. w ALLAN 2,144,698

EXCAVATING MACHINERY Filed April 25, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 24, 1939 UNiTED STATES PATENT OFFEQE 12 Claims.

This invention relates to excavating machinery and particularly to snow plows for use on roads, and provides an, improved adjustable wing for use with snow plows, to level and force back from the side of the plowed roadway the snow thrown outward by the main plow, either in the same or during a prior plowing operation.

The purpose of such so-called wings or auxiliary plows is to form at the side of the plowed road a more or less uniform berm or shoulder, whose height depends on the depth of the snow and other factors such as whether the plow is operating on a new fall of snow, or on one which follows a previous remaining fall which has been plowed.

The wing must be capable of vertical adjust ment to determine the height of the berm or shoulder. It is occasionally desirable to adjust the angle of the lower edge of the wing relatively to a horizontal plane and this also is provided for. Since roadside obstructions such as poles and mailboxes are common, means must be provided to retract the wing and restore it to operative position rapidly and while the plow is traveling along the road.

The invention provides a simple mechanism by which a device of any controllable type (preferably a power operated device such as a hydraulic ram), may be controlled from the operator's cab, so as to change the height of the wing, and alternatively to retract and restore the wing from and to its operative position. Perhaps the most important practical advantage offered by the invention is that a single actuating device may be caused to perform these alternative functions. Prior art devices known to me require at least three such devices each with its own control.

Generally stated, the selection between the two types of actuation is made by looking or freeing vertically adjustable supports on which the wing is pivotally mounted. When these supports are locked, reverse actuations of the actuating device project and retract the wing. However, if the supports be released While the wing is re- 5 tracted, reverse actuations of the same device raise and lower the supports, which after such adjustment are again locked in position. The locking and releasing are effected from the drivers cab. Provision is made for the angular adjustment mentioned, but this is not made by the actuating device, since the need is only occasional. Such adjustment is made manually while the plow is at rest.

The invention is applicable to any type of plow including those well known types in which the plow structure is removably mounted on a truck or tractor. In such installations quick and easy attachment and removal are important factors.

Trucks and tractors are constructed in a wide variety of sizes and forms by different manufacturers, and even the product of a single manufacturer includes various sizes and types which are changed annually. Hence standardization is impracticable, and any particular installation is affected in detail by the truck on which it is used. Nevertheless, features favoring adaptation to various vehicles assume great importance.

Further, the wing coacts to some extent with the main plow, and the main plow may be variously mounted on a truck or tractor. Whether or not the wing supporting mechanism is mechanically associated with the main plow or is carried by the mounting means therefor or is wholly independent thereof, is another factor of design which determines in some degree the arrangement of, and particularly the supporting structure for the ring.

The present invention is adaptable to a wide variety of such structures and although it is here illustrated as embodied for use with a truck and with a main plow, of a known type in which radius rods supported on a cross frame beneath the truck chassis align the main plow, the illustration is merely exemplary and not limiting. Thus the feature of mounting the wing frame on the radius rods just mentioned is useful and desirable, but other supports for the wing frame can be devised by the exercise of ordinary mechanical skill.

With this explanation of the general applicability of the idea to various specifically different propelling units and various specifically different main plows, a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention applicable particularly to trucks, will be given by reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:-

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a truck with a conventional plow mounted on its front and with the wing mechanism of the present invention mounted on its side in position to level and force back snow thrown from the roadway by such plow. The wing is shown projected to its active position, and adjusted vertically to a point above its lowest position.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the frame and wing with the latter projected to its active position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 showing the hydraulic ram in its wing retracting position, and portions of the frame. The wing is omitted from this view.

Fig. 4 is a sectional View of the cable clamp which when locked fixes the vertical adjustment of the wing sustaining slides.

Referring first to Fig. 1 a portion of a truck chassis is indicated at 6, a rear wheel at l, a front wheel at 8, cab: at 9 and body at H. Releasably and adjustably mounted on the front of the truck is the main plow a portion of which appears at 2. The plow may be of any type but will be assumed to be of the V or double mold board type.

The mounting of this plow I2 is not a feature of invention and is assumed to follow a known practice which is to fix a heavy cross frame at the front end of the truck chassis and transmit the forward thrust of the truck to the plow by this cross frame. Vertical adjustment of the plow is effected by a hydraulic ram or the like supported by the cross frame and reacting upward n the plow.

A plow so sustained must be held in alignment and to effect this a plate frame member I3 is rigidly attached near the rear margin of each mold board and serves at each side of the plow as the attaching member of a rigid triangular frame comprising with the member l3 two members l4 and I5. These members l4 and l5 are each formed of two telescopic tubular sections as shown (see Fig. 2) each with releasable locking means I6, so that they may be adjusted in length. Such adjustment is chiefly to permit a single plow structure to be applied to trucks of different size.

A frame indicated generally at I? is supported by chassis 6 and carries a horizontal rock shaft |8 which extends transversely below chassis 6 and forward of rear wheels I. Shaft l8 carries crank arms l9 at each side of the truck to which the frame members l4 and I5 are pinned at 2|. The members I4, |5 are not intended to take the plow-pushing thrust. They merely sustain plow |2 against tilting vertically and laterally and the rock shaft I8 and crank I9 are needed because the plow I2, when mounted as suggested, moves vertically on the front support or bumper and not in an are around 2| as a center.

Everything so far described is known practice in the snow plow art and is explained here merely to permit a complete understanding of one desirable embodiment of the invention.

In the embodiment illustrated the wing sustaining frame comprises an I-column 22 rigidly attached to. frame l3 and substantially vertical, a similar I-column 23 spaced therefrom, parallel therewith and supported as hereinafter described, and two spaced angle beams 24 and 25 rigidly connected with the upper ends of beams 22 and 23 and tying them together (see Fig. 3).

The pin 2| described as connecting members |4, |5 and crank I9 is carried by a bracket 26 fixed to the inner face of column 23 (see Fig. 2). Hence the frame composed of members 22, 23, 24, 25 is a rigid unit with members |3, |4, I5 and plow 2. A guide 21 offers the frame lateral support from body I I, while permitting the slight motion necessary to accommodate vertical adjustment of the plow |2.

Vertically slidable on the outer flanges of columns 22 and 23 are respective slides 28 and 29. Hinged to respective slides on vertical pins 3|, 32 are corresponding yokes 33 and 34.

Hinged to yoke 33 by bolt 35 is the plow wing 36 having a reinforcing member 3'! at its lower margin. Wing 36 is stiffened as indicated at 38,

and the stiffener 38 carries spaced plates 39 between which wing strut 4| is connected by universal joint 42. The strut 4| comprises telescopic tubular sections with locking means 43 to permit adjustment of its length. The opposite end of strut 4| is hinged by a horizontal bolt 44 to yoke 34.

The series of holes 45 in the upper plate 39 are to permit attachment of cable clip 46 in a series of positions. This clip connects the wing controlling cable with the wing, and its position with relation to the center of mass of the wing is an important factor in securing smooth operation.

Extending vertically between beams 24 and 25 and sustained by these and member I5 is the frame 41 of the wing controlling motor, shown as a hydraulic ram having cylinder 48 and plunger or piston 49 controlled by admission and exhaust valve 56 in the cab.

The source of hydraulic pressure fluid is not illustrated. Practically all trucks and tractors include a hydraulic pump and sump for operating dumping mechanisms or the like, or include a shaft projecting from the transmission for use in driving such a unit. Hence it is deemed unnecessary to illustrate this conventional mechanism which as stated is a familiar component of trucks and tractors.

The plunger 49 carries two sheaves 5| and above the cylinder are two sheaves 52 with their grooves alined with those of sheaves 5|. The cable 53 leads from clip 46 over a large guide sheave 54 on the upper end of frame 41 thence over a sheave 52, a sheave 5|, the other sheave 52, the other sheave 5| to a point of attachment 66 on frame 4'! near the upper end of the ram. Thus the motion of cable 53 is four times the lineal motion. of piston 49.

The position of slides 28 and 29 could be controlled by various means, but the simplest scheme so far devised to cause them to shift in unison, and to hold them against shifting involves the use of a cable and simple cable clamp.

From slide 29 a cable 55 attached thereto leads upward and about sheave 56, thence horizontally and about sheave 51, thence downward around sheave 58, upward about sheave 59, horizontally and about sheave 6| and downward to slide 26 to which it is permanently attached. Sheaves 56, 51, 59 and 6| are mounted on the frame (member 24) but sheave 58 is in a yoke 62. A clip 63 looks the two passes of cable 55 together above sheave 58.

Upward motion of yoke 62 causes slides 28 and 29 to move downward in unison while downward motion of the yoke draws the slides upward. Release of clip 63 permits adjustment of the relative heights of slides 28 and 29. After such adjustment the clamp is again set up.

Slidev 28 must be positioned positively and hence a cable 64 attached to this slide leads downward, about sheave 65 thence through a releasable cable clamp in box 66 and then upward to yoke 62 to which it is attached.

It is unnecessary to use a similar hold-down connection between yoke 62 and slide 29 because this slide is never subject to upward forces. The construction and adjustment are simplified by the omission of this unnecessary expedient.

The clamp in box 66 is shown in Fig. 4. The box is fixed on member l5 and carries sheave 65. In the box is a serrated fixed jaw 61 and a clamping arm 68 pivoted at 69 and having a serrated jaw 1| opposed to fixed jaw 61. Cable 64 passes between and is normally clamped by the jaws 61,

H, passes thence under sheave 12' near pivot 69, then under sheave 13 at the end of arm and upward to yoke. 62.

The pull of cable 64 holds the clamp engaged.

A force multiplying lever 14 operated by pull rope 75 leading into cab 9and connected to arm 68 by link 161's used to force the clamp open to release the cable 64 when desired.

Operation With the cable 64 clamped, operation of the piston 49 to draw in cable 53 will cause the wing 36'to swing from its projected operative position (Fig. 2 and full line position of Fig. 1) upward =n and inward to the dotted line position of Fig. 1,

inwhich it is close to the plane of frame 22, 23, 24, 25.. If cable 53 is paid out the wing returns by gravity to its original position When the wing is in the retracted (dotted line) position and it is desired to change the h x by valve 5. When set to exhaust hydraulic fluid from the ram, cable 53 is paid out. Admission of pressure fluid to the ram causes the cable 53 to be drawn in. Between admission and exhaust position there is a lap position in which both admission and exhaust ports are closed, so that the ram is hydraulically locked against motion.

The point of attachment of cable 53 to the wing is an important factor so far as smooth operation is concerned. It should act near the center of mass of the wing and strut when in retracted position, and the best position for any particular installation can be determined by trial. Faulty location tends to cause the slides to cramp in the guides.

The important feature is that a single motor adjusts both slides, and alternatively actuates the wings, all through a single cable. Prior devices required three motors each with controls to accomplish comparable results, one motor for each slide and a third to propel and retract the wing. Three motors are unduly expensive, are more difiicult to manipulate, and if of the hydraulic type require more oil and a much larger oil sump. Simplification and reduction of weight are of vital importance in a device which must be quickly attached to and detached from the propelling vehicle, so that the improvement offered by the invention is of substantial practical importance.

What-is claimed is:-

1. The combination of a snow plow wing; a strut for sustaining said wing; a hinge connection between said strut and wing; sustaining means to which said wing and strut are hinged, said sustaining means being adjustable in a vertical direction to adjust the wing and strut to operate at difierent levels; releasable means for fixing said sustaining means in adjusted positions; and a single shifting means serving to project and retract said wing when the sustaining means are fixed, and to adjust said sustaining means vertically when the latter are released.

2. The combination with the structure of claim 1 of means for adjusting the relative height of the sustaining means for said strut and said wing whereby the angular position of the wing when projected may be adjusted.

3. The combination of a snow plow wing; a strut for sustaining said wing; a hinge connection between said strut and wing; sustaining means to which said wing and strut are hinged, said sustaining means being adjustable in a vertical direction to adjust simultaneously the wing and the strut to permit the wing to operate at different levels; releasable means for fixing said sustaining means in its adjusted positions; a cable attached near the junction of said wing and strut; a guide for'said cable, the cable leading from the guide to the point of attachment just mentioned, and the guide being so located that the drawing-in and paying-out of the cable will control retraction and projection of the wing when the sustaining means is fixed and when the wing is retracted and the releasable means released, will change the vertical adjustment of said sustaining means; and means for drawingin and paying-out said cable.

4. The combination of a snow plow wing; a strut for sustaining said wing; a hinge connection between said strut and wing; sustaining means to which said wing and strut are hinged, said sustaining means being adjustable in a vertical direction to adjust the wing and strut to operate at different levels; releasable means for fixing said sustaining means in adjusted positions; a cable attached near the junction of said wing and strut; a guide for said cable located above said sustaining means, the cable leading from said guide to the point of attachment just mentioned; and means for drawing in and paying out said cable, the parts being so proportioned and arranged that when the wing is drawn to inactive position the cable leads substantially vertically downward from said guide substantially to the combined center of mass of the wing and strut.

5. The combination of a pair of substantially vertical guides; slides vertically movable on respective guides; means for constraining said slides to move in unison; releasable means for fixing the vertical adjustment of said slides; a plow wing hinged to one of said slides; a wing strut hinged to the other of said slides and to said wing; and wing shifting means arranged to lift and lower said wing between a lowered projected position and a raised retracted position when said slides are fixed, and to raise and lower said wing and also the slides when the slides are released.

6. The combination of a pair of substantially vertical guides; slides vertically movable on respective guides; means for constraining said slides to move in unison; releasable means for fixing the vertical adjustment of said slides; a plow wing hinged to one of said slides; a wing strut hinged to the other of said slides and to said Wing; and wing shifting means arranged to lift and lower said wing between a lowered projected position and a raised retracted position when said slides are fixed, and to raise and lower said wing and also the slides when the slides are released; and means associated with the means for constraining the slides to move in unison for adjusting the relative heights of said slides to change the angle of the wing relatively to a horizontal plane.

7. The combination defined in claim; 5 in which the wing shifting means comprises a cable leading upward from said Wing and controllable means for drawing up and letting out said cable.

8. The combination of a pair of substantially vertical guides; slides vertically movable on respective guides; means comprising a cable connecting said slides and guiding means for such cable for constraining said slides to move in unison; releasable means for clamping said cable to resist shifting of said slides; a plow wing hinged to one of said slides; a wing strut hinged to the other of said slides and to said wing; a second cable attached near the junction of said wing and strut; a guide for said second cable located approximately in the plane of said guides and above the highest point to be reached by said junction, said cable leading from said guide to said junction; and means for drawing in and paying out said cable.

9. The combination of a vehicle; a main plow 'mounted on the forward end thereof; an aligning frame attached to the main plow and supported on the vehicle at a point to the rear of the main plow; a wing plow; a strut for sustaining said wing plow and hinged thereto; sustaining means carried by said aligning frame and to which said strut and wing plow are hinged, said sustaining means being adjustable vertically to set the wing plow and strut to operate at different levels; releasable means for fixing said sustaining means in adjusted positions; and a single means operable to retract and project said wing plow when the sustaining means are fixed, and operable to adjust said sustaining means vertically when the latter are released.

10. The combination of a vehicle; a main plow mounted on the forward end thereof; an aligning frame attached to the main plow and supported on the vehicle at a point to the rear of the main plow; a wing sustaining frame mounted on said aligning frame and including a pair of substantially vertical guides; slides vertically movable on respective guides; means comprising a cable connecting said slides and guiding means for such cable, for constraining said slides to move in unison; releasable means for clamping said cable to resist shifting of said slides; a plow wing hinged to one of said slides; a wing strut hinged to the other of said slides and to said wing; a second cable attached near the junction of said wing and strut; a guide for said second cable located approximately in the plane of said guides and above the highest point to be reached by said junction, said cable leading from said guide to said junction; and means for drawing in and paying out said cable.

11. The combination of a snow plow wing; sustaining means for said wing; means for adjusting said sustaining means vertically to cause said wing to operate, at different levels; releas able means for fixing said sustaining means in adjusted positions; and a single power means for projecting and retracting said wing when said sustaining means are fixed, and for adjusting said sustaining means vertically when those means are released.

12. The combination of a snow plow wing; supporting means for said wing arranged to permit the wing to be projected or retracted under one condition, and the supporting means with the wing to be raised and lowered under another condition; releasable means for setting said supporting means for either of said conditions; and a single power means for actuating the wing under the first condition, and for raising and lowering the supporting means and wing under the other of said conditions.

FREDERICK W. ALLAN. 

